Louisiana
UTEP Softball Splits Sunday's Doubleheader Against Louisiana Tech – KVIA
RUSTON, Louisiana (KVIA) — In a thrilling doubleheader clash against Louisiana Tech on Sunday, the UTEP softball team demonstrated their mettle, ultimately splitting the games in a display of both triumph and challenge. The day kicked off with a resounding 4-0 shutout victory, marking the program’s first Conference USA road series win since 2016 and their first back-to-back shutouts since 2010. However, the momentum shifted in the second game as UTEP faced a determined Louisiana Tech squad, ultimately falling short with a final score of 4-2 at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
UTEP now holds a 23-25 (9-9 CUSA) record, while LA Tech improves to 27-16 (10-8 CUSA).
Game 1: UTEP 4, LA Tech 0
UTEP wasted no time in the top of the first inning, as Lexi Morales kicked off the momentum with a well-earned leadoff walk. Halle Hogan then ignited the offense with a powerful double to right center, paving the way for Crouwel to deliver a clutch single up the middle. A costly throwing error by the LA Tech center fielder allowed Crouwel to advance and secure two RBIs, bringing both Hogan and Morales across the plate, 2-0.
In the top of the second, Ashlynn Allen had a leadoff double to left center. Faith Aragon, in her debut at-bat of the season, capitalized on an error by the LA Tech second baseman to reach base. A strategic play by Morales grounded out but still earned an RBI, allowing Allen to add another run for UTEP, 3-0.
The relentless pressure continued in the top of the fourth, with Allen once again sparking the offense. Allen reached second on an error by the LA Tech shortstop and a sacrifice bunt by Bri Garcia that set the stage for Morales to deliver once more, this time with a sharp single to left center, securing another RBI and extending UTEP’s lead, 4-0.
Faith Aragon tabbed her 11th win in the circle, posted five strikeouts and only allowed two hits.
Game 2: LA Tech 4, UTEP 2
After three tense and scoreless innings, Crouwel ignited UTEP’s offense in the fourth with a sharp single through the right side. The momentum surged as Allen and Garcia delivered back-to-back RBI hits, propelling UTEP to a 2-0 lead. However, Louisiana Tech swiftly countered in the bottom of the fifth, as Neel’s double to left center ignited a rally. A crucial throwing error allowed Cooper and Easom to score, knotting the game at 2-2. The Bulldogs capitalized on their momentum in the bottom of the sixth, doubling their lead as Easom’s single through the left side brought Raley and Hammoude across the plate, putting Louisiana Tech ahead. Tech held off the Miners in the seventh to secure the 4-2 win.
Notables
- UTEP secured its first Conference USA road series win since 2016.
- The team showcased their defensive dominance by achieving their first back-to-back shutouts since 2010.
- Over the weekend series against LA Tech, UTEP dominated offensively, outhitting the Bulldogs 26-9 and boasting an impressive batting average of .317 compared to LA Tech’s .136.
ON DECK
The Miners will host Liberty in their final home series at Helen of Troy Field from April 26th to 28th, during which they will commemorate Senior Weekend by honoring four seniors on Saturday and another four on Sunday.
Louisiana ranks among the top 10 most affordable states to retire, according to a new study from Retirement Living, a national journal of retirement research.
Researchers analyzed each state’s housing costs, living expenses and tax friendliness to compile the ranking. Louisiana, they say, is the eighth most affordable state for retirees.
In Louisiana, the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $932, the median home sale price is $255,000, monthly grocery spend per capita is $272, the average price per gallon of regular gas is $4, the average Medicare Advantage monthly premium is $13.35 and the average effective property tax rate is 0.55%.
West Virginia is the most affordable state to retire, followed by Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, Indiana and Kansas. Researchers describe the South as “the sweet spot for an affordable retirement.”
The most expensive state to retire, meanwhile, is California, followed by Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Utah, New York and Minnesota.
Read Retirement Living’s full report here.
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – With hurricane season approaching, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is bringing the community together to prepare before a storm forms.
“We can’t stop disasters from happening. We can’t stop hurricanes from happening. But what we can do is equip our communities with the resources that they need to prepare for these storms ahead of time,” said Jayda Morris, CPRA outreach manager.
The agency hosted an event featuring interactive storm simulations and a full model of the Mississippi River.
“If you do it now, like on a sunny day like today, you’re ready to go for the rest of the season,” Jay Grymes said.
El Niño may reduce storms, but Louisiana still at risk
State Climatologist Jay Grymes said an El Niño pattern may reduce the number of storms in the Atlantic but warned against a false sense of security.
“In those 25 years, Louisiana, some part of the state has been impacted by 29 storms. That’s one a year, regardless of El Niño. So that should tell you something,” Grymes said.
He said the bigger concern is storms that can form in the Gulf with little warning.
“If we’re going to get a storm, it very possibly could be one that bubbles up in the Gulf and doesn’t give us five or seven days to track it coming our way. It gives us 40 hours to get ready for a landfall. So it’s imperative that you go ahead and do it now,” Grymes said.
Preparation goes beyond stocking water
Preparing now includes walking through yards, checking trees, and knowing whether everyone in the family can survive two weeks without power.
PhD students with the LSU College of the Coast and Environment gave the community a virtual reality experience that puts users inside a storm.
“If they wear the goggles or play with the Apple Vision Pro, they can understand how high will the flood be, and they can know how dangerous is the hurricane scenario,” said Yixuan Wang.
The VR simulation uses real historical data to show users what compound flooding looks like in New Orleans and surrounding areas. The goal is to make the science real for people who can’t picture what a flood map means.
“It’s just to let you understand the environment. We will add the audios, the different sound of the wind and the storm. And you can see how tense of the rainfall around you,” Wang said.
Organizers said the event is about making sure that when a storm threatens the area, families already know their plan.
Information from the event is available on CPRA’s website. Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Louisiana homeowners can get financial help to upgrade their roofs and ensure they can better stand up to strong storms.
According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, registration for next Louisiana Fortify Homes Program lottery opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 1. The registration period will stay open through 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19.
Under the latest round of the program, 3,000 grants of up to $10,000 will go out. After applying, homeowners will get placed into a lottery and will be randomly selected.
There are many specific benefits of having a roof upgraded through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. Officials said the roofs have stronger shingles that can protect against hail up to two inches wide, sealed roof decks to help prevent water damage, and stronger edges to keep wind from getting underneath.
Homeowners with a fortified roof can also get a certificate to receive a discount on insurance premiums.
“At the end of the day, this program is about more than just roofs,” said Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. “It is about protecting families, it is about strengthening communities, and it is about putting Louisiana in a stronger position—both physically and economically—to face the challenges ahead.”
Only people living in Ascension Parish, Livingston Parish, Assumption Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Acadia Parish, Calcasieu Parish, Cameron Parish, Iberia Parish, Jefferson Parish, Jefferson Davis Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Orleans Parish, Plaquemines Parish, St. Bernard Parish, St. Charles Parish, St. James Parish, St. John the Baptist Parish, St. Martin Parish, St. Mary Parish, St. Tammany Parish, Terrebonne Parish, and Vermilion Parish are eligible to apply for the latest round of the program.
People living in a newly built home, mobile home, or condominium are not qualified.
For a detailed list of eligibility requirements, click here.
If a person registered for the program previously, he or she must do so again. The person will also need to provide the following information:
- A homestead exemption on the primary residence.
- A policy of insurance that provides wind coverage for the primary residence.
- A flood insurance policy on the primary residence if it is in a special flood hazard area.
For more information about applying, click here.
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